652 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
August 1 , 1903, 
which flower-a second time in the autumn, it is advisable. 
This does not include very many, and the majority should 
certainly have the stems left on as long as possible; in, fact, 
till they have become yellow and withered. By so doing, the 
crowns are undoubtedly ripened more thoroughly, and those 
who have any regard for the plants next season will see that 
better results must follow than if cut down when the stems 
are green and sappy. A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldemham House Gardens, Elstre-e. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Pelargoniums.— As the plants go out of flower they should 
be cut down to within an inch or two' of the older wood, and 
be kept on the dry side for two or three weeks; after that 
time tney may be snaken out and repotted. Stand the plants, 
m a close pit or frame until new shoots are formed, then 
grow them cool. Avoid over-potting at this time j rather trim 
the larger roots back in order to get them into smaller pots 
than they previously occupied. Cuttings of the current season s 
growth now root readily, and at the time of cutting down tiro 
old plants some cuttings, should be inserted in sandy, light 
soil, and placed in a cold frame. Keep close for a few days to 
encourage them to callus quickly, when full air may be given. 
Lachenalias.— These bulbous plants cannot be forced into 
flower, but if they are wanted in flower in March or April the 
bulbs must be potted up at once, in order that they may have 
a long season of steady growth in cool quarters. By potting 
up a batch at intervals of a fortnight a succession may be had. 
Having regard to the extreme beauty of these South African 
plants° and the ease with which they may be cultivated it is 
surprising that they are not more frequently met with in 
private gardens. 
Shake out the bulbs from the old soil and grade them, pot¬ 
ting up the largest six bulbs in a, 6-in. pot for flowering in the 
ensuing spring, and the smaller ones ten in a 6-in. pot for 
growing on for flowering the following year. The compost I 
find suit them well consists of equal parts leaf-soil, loam, and 
decomposed cow manure, with plenty of sand or road-grit added 
to ensure porosity. Use clean pots, and drain them efficiently. 
Place them when potted in a cold frame, and water in to 
settle the soil; no more will then be required for some con¬ 
siderable time. Keep close and shaded from bright sun until 
the bulbs commence to grow, then gradually inure to more 
air. In potting do not bury the bulbs deeply, but leave the 
top protruding through the soil. On the approach of sharp 
frosts remove the plants to a shelf near the roof-glass of the 
coel greenhouse, from which frosts are excluded, and do not 
apply fire-heat exoept in veiy severe weather. There are 
many species and varieties worth cultivating, but the most 
common and robust species is L. tricolor and its varieties, 
Nelsoni, and a urea, Other excellent species I can recommend 
are L. pendula, L. glaucum, and L. orchio-ides. 
Table Plants. — Where small foliage plants are required in 
quantity throughout the winter for the table and other decora¬ 
tive purposes, now is a good time to insert cuttings,. They 
comprise Crotons, Dracaenas, Strobilanthes, Abutilon Sawitzii 
and others. These plants usually have an abundance of well- 
coloured, strong leading shoots upon them at this time, which, 
if taken off at a point where the wood is half-ripened and in¬ 
serted in light, peaty sell, quickly emit roots and become estab¬ 
lished for almost immediate use. Place one strong cutting in 
the centre of a 21-in. pot, as then no further disturbance will 
be necessary, and” this is a useful size to keep them in when 
wanted for the table as dot plants. 
Violets. — The plants now growing in the open for lifting 
and placing in frames and pots for flowering in winter are 
making good progress, and they should be kept free from 
weeds and the runners trimmed off closely, the object, being to 
concentrate the whole strength of the plant into the main 
crown. Afford occasional applications of liquid manure- and 
guano with clear water as required. K. M. 
Sweet] Peas Recently Certificated 
By the National Sweet Pea Society 
July I5th. 
Lottie Eckford Cupid. 
In the ordinary, tall-growing variety of this name the flowers 
are white, more or less heavily edged with light blue, so the 
Cupid form only differs by its dwarf habit, being only 6 in. 
to 9 in. high. 
Her Majesty Cupid. 
It is unnecessary to describe this, beyond saying that the 
flowers are of a beautiful carmine-rose, like the type, while 
the plant in this particular instance has the habit of Cupid. 
First-class Certificates were awarded to each of the above 
varieties when shown by Me-ssrs. H. Cannell and Sons, Swanley. 
They were also highly commended in each case for Captain of 
the Blues Cupid, Mrs. J. Chamberlain Cupid, and Royalty 
Cupid. 
Scarlet Gem. 
The flowers of this splendid variety are of a brilliant red¬ 
dish crimson, and come most, nearly to the much-desired scarlet 
Sweet Pea that has been a desideratum for many years past. 
The flowers are so bright that they show well up even under 
the influence of electric light, which is saying much for a dark 
flower of the character described. Twelve bunches of the 
variety were shown, and a First-class Certificate, as well as a 
Silver Medal, was awarded to Mr. H. Eckford, the raiser and 
exhibitor, Wem, Salop. 
King Edward VII. 
This is a large, dark crimson flower that may or may not 
oust Salopian for exhibition purposes, but it requires a few 
years’ trial in order to determine its exact value for garden 
decoration as well as exhibition. First-class Certificate to 
Mr. H. Eckford. 
Florence Molyneux. 
Almost every stalk of this variety carries four blooms. The 1 
ground colour of the standard and wings is white, and there 
is a pale rosy-purple blotch on the standard, making this a 
fancy Sweet Pea similar to- Lottie Hutchins, except in the matter 
of colour, the ground of the latter being cream. First-class 
Certificate to Messrs. Dobbie and Co., Rothesay. 
Lathyrus latifolius albus grandiflorus. 
The flowers of this everlasting Pea are similar to the better 
known white variety of the type, but are very much larger, 
and are equally, if not, more, useful for cut flower purposes 
and garden decoration. First-class Certificate, Hobbies, Ltd., 
Dereham, Norfolk. 
Zenobia speciosa pulverulenta. 
The order Ericaceae is particularly rich in hardy genera and 
species, which are of great horticultural value, as, for instance, 
the following genera—Rhododendron, Erica,, Kalmia, Pieris, 
Calluna,, Cle-thra, and Zenobia. Unlike many of the genera, 
Zenobia is poor in species, specio-sa, being the only one. In 
places where peat-loving shrubs thrive Zenobia speciosa should 
certainly be grown, for it is one of the most striking, white 
flowered, July flowering shrubs. It is a native of North 
America, being found in many places from Florida to North 
Carolina. It was introduced about a century ago, but cannot 
be called a common -shrub. It grows from 2 ft. to 3 ft. in 
height, and bears numerous- campanulate white blossoms from 
the leaf axils, all along the under side- of the branches. The 
flowers are waxy in texture, and last well. The variety pul¬ 
verulenta differs from the type by having handsome, glaucous 
leaves, which add greatly to the interest of the plant. 
Where the soil is of a limy character it is useless to attempt 
the cultivation of this shrub, being, with the Rhododendron, 
a lime hater W. D. 
